Soldering-tool.



L. L. FUNK.

SOLDEEING TOOL.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.21,1910.

Patented Oct. 24, 1911.

2 snEnTHinmT 1.

L. L, PUNK.

SOLDERING TOOL. APPLICATION rum) 3111.21, mo.

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SOLDERING-TOOL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 24., 1911.

Application filed January 21, 1910. Serial No. 539,420.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LEVI L. FUNK, a citizen of the United States, and aresident of the city of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State ofIllinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inSoldering- Tools; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full,clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, and to the numbers of reference marked thereon,which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to soldering tools of that class adapted forpractically continuous use when once heated and until the supply of heatis cut oil.

The object of the invention is to afford a construction which may betruly termed a fountain soldering tool, in other words, in which thetool having once been heated, a suflicient quantity of solder is fusedwithin the same and is delivered automatically to the point where thesame is to be used by the normal operation of the tool.

It is also an object of the invention to afford a soldering tooladapted, if desired, to be electrically heated, thereby enabling thetool to be used continuously without stopping to re-heat.

It is also an object of the invention to afford an exceedingly simple,cheap and durable device by the use of which much time and labor issaved.

The invention consist-s in the matters hereinafter described and morefully pointed out and defined in the appended claim.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a side elevation of an electric solderingiron embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is an enlarged fragmentarylongitudinal section of the lower end of the fountain and the dischargeelement therein. Fig. 8 is a longitudinal sec tion of the tool onapproximately the scale shown in Fig. 1. Fig. A is a fragmentary topplan view of the tool. Fig. 5 is a view in elevation of a fountainsoldering tool of a slightly modified form. Fig. 6 is an enlargedfragmentary longitudinal section thereof. Fig. 7 is a section on line 77of Fig. 6.

As shown in the drawings: Referring first to Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, areservoir adapted to contain the solder is constructed comprising, asshown, an inner metallic shell 1, and an outer investment comprising aninsulated metallic electrical circuit 2, on the outer side of which isan insulating shell 3 of any nonconducting and non-combustible materialand on the outer side thereof and spaced a suitable distance therefromis a metallic shell 4, cylindrical in form and having an interior lining5, of asbestos or other suitable material, and fitted in the bottom ofsaid fountain and rigidly secured in place is the central boredsoldering point 6, which, in the construction is shown as conical andhaving an aperture therethrough in which is fitted a plunger 7, having apyramidally pointed outer end 8. Said stem or plunger extends upwardlythrough the fountain and at its upper end (which extends through the cap25), is provided with a removable button or head 9. The stem or plungerwithin the fountain is increased in diameter to provide a stop orshoulder 10, to limit the upward movement of said plunger and a stop andclosure 10 which seats in the tapered bore of the soldering point toboth limit the downward movement of the plunger and to tightly close thepassage through the soldering point. As shown, the plun ger is flattenedperipherally both at the point where it extends through the solderingpoint 6, and where the same extends through the cap 25, so that when ateither the upper or the lower limit of its adjustment, the aperturesthrough the cap and the soldering point will be closed, but when saidplunger is positioned intermediate the limits of its adjustments, theflow of said hot solder is permitted through the soldering point. At thesame time said plunger affords an air vent through the cap to admit theair to facilitate such flow.

The electrical supply cable 11, extends through the side of saidreservoir and connects with the ends of the heating coil 2. As shown, ametallic band 12, encircles said reservoir near its middle, andpivotally engaged on the opposite sides of the band by means of setscrews 13, is a handle 14:, as shown in Figs. 1, 8 and 4. Said cableleads outwardly through said handle and along the same and is adapted tobe connected with any suitable source of current.

In the construction shown in Figs. 5 to 7 inclusive, the electricalconnections are dispensed with and a soldering point 15, is providedwith a relatively large aperture therein and is screw threaded at itsupper end to receive the pipe 16, on which is provided a handle 17, ofany suitable form or construction. This preferably, however, is ofnonconductingmaterial.

As shown, an obliquely directed bore 18, is provided in the lower end ofthe soldering point, which opens through the side thereof above thelower extremity thereof. Seated at the top of said chamber in thesoldering point is a plate 19, which is held in place by the sleeve orhandle 16, which is threaded into said point. Slidable through saidwasher or plate 19, is an actuating stem 20, which extends upwardly andnear its upper extremity extends laterally through the side of saidsleeve, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, providing a handle 21. Secured on thelower end of said actuating rod 20, is a cylindric bar 22, shaped at itslower end to fit in and to close the passage 18, leading through theoint, and as shown, the upper end of said bar 22, is shaped also to seaton the plate 19, and to close the aperture therefor when the bar islifted, as shown in r Fig. 6'.

The operation is as follows: With both constructions a suflicientquantity of solder either in the form of a bar or-slugs, is inserted inthe fountain and the fountain heated either by means of the electriccoil, as shown in Figs. 1 to 4 inclusive, or in the case of Figs. 5 to 7inclusive, by means of external heat howsoever applied. When properfusibility is attained the soldering point is applied to the work. Inthe case of the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 4, the pressure ofapplication serves to press the plunger or rod 7, upwardly to an extentsuf ficient to open the discharge for the solder to permit the same toflow to the work, this being facilitated by venting through the Cap 5.

Inasmuch as the tool is electrically heated, it may be operatedcontinuously until the solder is wholly exhausted or until the work iscompleted. Should the tool at any time be lifted from the work, gravityserves to force the plunger 7, downwardly immediately cutting off thefurther flow of solder. In the construction illustrated in Figs. 5 to 7inclusive, substantially the same is true. The soldering point havingbeen heated sufficiently to fuse the solder and to reduce the same tothe proper fluidity, the tool is applied as is usual in soldering, inthis instance the bar 22 being retracted by means of the actuating rod20, which is operated by hand. Then fully retracted, as shown in Fig. 6,the flow is somewhat restricted owing to the upper vent being closed. Itis only necessary, however, to permit said bar 22, to descend veryslightly to again produce the flow and the flow can be regulated veryreadily by means of the valves formed by the seating of said bar ateither of the vents in the tool. Of course, in this construction thesolder is placed in the concavity within the soldering point. This isdone by unthreading the shank or handle 16, from the soldering point,withdrawing the washer or plate 19, therefrom and inserting a sulficientquantity of solder into the cavity before returning the parts to theirproper adjustment.

I claim as my invention:

A fountain soldering tool, comprising a handle, a soldering point orhead, an internal reservoir connected to said head, valves at oppositeends of said reservoir for regulating the flow from said reservoir tosaid head and the admission of air into said reservoir, and a plunger insaid reservoir carrying said valves, said valves being constructed andarranged to close at either extreme of movement of said plunger.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presenceof two subscribing witnesses.

LEVI L. FUNK. lVitnesses LAwRENcE REIBSTEIN,

J. WV. ANGELL.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C.

